Mike Hesson: “I think he’s a very fine cricketer and he’s a very fine cricketer in a role where there are very few people around the world who are good at, in terms of that power-hitter through the middle”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Islamabad United head coach Mike Hesson said Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan is one of the very few people around the world who are good at playing the power-hitting role in the middle order.
Hesson’s support for Azam comes after the 25-year-old has been heavily criticised in the past for his weight and inconsistency with the bat.
Azam has been in the Pakistan T20I team on three separate occasions in the last three years, but has struggled to make the most of the chances given to him.
Most recently, he featured in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2024 and mustered 22 runs in three games at an average of 7.33 and a strike-rate of 115.78.
Despite this, Hesson stressed that Azam is a good power-hitter and has showcased his skills numerous times at the domestic level and in different T20 leagues.
“I think he’s a very fine cricketer and he’s a very fine cricketer in a role where there are very few people around the world who are good at, in terms of that power-hitter through the middle,” he told PakPassion.
Azam’s last assignment was the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he played for Islamabad and amassed 226 runs in 12 matches, which included a top score of 75, at an average of 25.11 and a strike-rate of 171.21.
Islamabad made it to the final and ended up being crowned champions after beating the Multan Sultans by two wickets.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9: Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Muhammad Waseem
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